Bristol Roots Syndicate & Dub Encounters present The sounds of Black Uhuru 1977-1985 with Mykal Rose backed by the Mafia & Fluxy Riddim Section, with support from Pappa Roots Sound System & Dom from Blood & Fire.

Saturday 14th October at Fiddlers live music venue. Black Uhuru (formed in 1972), originally known as Uhuru, the Swahili word for freedom, is a Jamaican, Grammy Award winning reggae band, hailing from Kingston, Jamaica. One of Jamaica’s most distinguished singers, as a member of the Grammy award winning Black Uhuru, Mykal Rose was one of the foundation stones of the roots movement, before launching a successful career in the modern dancehalls. Mykal’s distinctive vocals launched an entire musical style the Waterhouse sound (named after The Kingston neighbourhood of Waterhouse where Rose was born, on July 11, 1957). In 1972 he joined up with childhood friend Sly Dunbar. He had a series of solo singles for various producers like Niney the Observer and Lee Perry before being bought to producer Prince Jammy.

Jammy then introduced Rose to Ducky Simpson, who was trying to reconstitute his vocal trio Uhuru. With the enlistment of former Jayes frontman Errol Nelson, Black Uhuru was born. The trio recorded their 1977 debut album Love Crisis for Jammy, which was later remixed and given an international release as Black Sounds of Freedom.

Nelson quit the band soon after and Puma was brought in. Black Uhuru was now complete. With their subsequent albums overseen by Sly Dunbar and his partner Robbie Shakespeare, and accompanied by the pair’s band. The Revolutionaries, Black Uhuru led the roots movement into the international arena.
Across a glittering career of classic singles and masterful albums �" Guess Who’s Coming
To Dinner, Red, Sensimilla, Chill Out, Tear it Up Live, the trio reached a new pinnacle of
success in 1985 when Anthem won the first ever Grammy in the newly instituted Reggae
category.

For this tour Mykal will be singing some of Black Uhuru’s classic songs including hits like Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner, Spongi Reggae, Shine Eyed Girl and General Penitentiary. For one night only, Black Uhuru will play Bristol at the Fiddlers club south of the river, supported by the Pappa Roots Sound System DJ’s and Dom from Blood & Fire. This is one live reggae gig that you will not want to miss, as the intimate setting of Fiddlers will allow you to be up close to one of the best voices in reggae music.

Bristol Roots Syndicate and Dud Encounters present Black Uhuru on Saturday 14th October at Fiddlers live music venue, Willway Street, Bristol BS3 4BG. Doors open at 8pm �" 2pm, band onstage at 11pm

---